Engine starting device



Nov. 5, 1935.- R. P. LANSING 2,019,712

- ENGINE STARTING DEVICE v Filed March 6, 1931' 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTdRNEY Nov. 5, 1935;

R. P. LANSING V ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Filed March 6, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .INVEN'TOR Raymond PLansiny' Nov. 5, 1935. "R. P. LANSING 2,019,712

ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Filed March 6, 1951 a Sheets$heet :5

INVENTOR Pay/mad 191,472.51 r19 A ZIQSQEY v Patented Nov. 5, 1935 v ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Application March 6, 1931, Serial No. 520,661 21 Claims. (01. 123-1'1il) This invention relates to starting devices for internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a starter of the inertia type.

An object of the invention is .to provide a 5 starter of the inertia type embodying a novel method and means for drivably connecting the starting apparatus to a member of the engine to be started.

A further object of the invention is to provide 10 an inertia starter embodying novel driving means for operatively connecting the flywheel with the engine member to be rotated, whereby the energy stored in the flywheel may be imparted to said engine member over a relatively long period.

15 Another object of the invention is to provide a novel starter of the inertia type which is completely self-contained, and the inertia element 'of which is preferably mounted above and carried by a member of the engine to be started.

20 Another object of the invention is to provide a novel inertia starter which is particularly adapted for use in starting outboard motors of the type now extensively employed on small boats.

A further object is to provide a starter of novel 25 construction in which driving engagement is effected by a radial movement of normally withdrawn members into frictional driving relation with a member of the engine to be started.

Another object is to provide an inertia starter 30 employing radially movable driving members so controlled and disposed with respect to the engine member which they drive that their engaging movement occurs automatically following initial rotation of the engine member by another 35 agency.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a manually operated engine starting mechanism employing an inertia element in which energy is stored for subsequent transmission to a member of the engine to be started, novel means for preventing the establishment of driving engagement between the inertia element and engine member until after a predetermined rotation of the engine member, produced by means in- 45 dependent of said inertia element.

In-cranking an engine by'application of energy previouly stored in a flywheel or other inertia element, a considerable portion of the stored energy is consumed in the initialeflfort of turn- "50 ing the engine crankshaft through its first revo- -lution, the turning efiort required thereafter being but a small proportion of the initial torque. By providing preliminary cranking means independent of the inertia element of the starter,

65 in conjunction with means for automatically connecting the inertia member with the engine member thereafter, it is evident that the engine can be accelerated to self-energizing speed with less power, and the period of application of such power can be prolonged.

It is an object of the present invention to pr vide such a method of starting an engine, and such a combination of cranking and connecting means.

Another object is to provide a' novel combination of manually and automatically operable engine starting means, the former being applicable directly to the engine member to produce rotation thereof, and the latter being operable in response to the resultant rotation of said engine member.

A further object is to provide in a combined hand and inertia starter of'the foregoing character, novel means for drivably connecting the inertia member with the engine member, said connecting means being operable automatically in response to rotation of said engine member, such automatic action being dependent upon the attainment of either a predetermined speed or a predetermined degree of rotation.

Other objects of the invention reside in the construction and inter-relation of parts and will become apparent from inspection of the following specification when read with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view of a detail of the engaging mechanism of the embodiment of Figl 3; and 40 Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional'view along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3, the view being limited, however, to the part inside the drum portion of the driven mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the engine to be started is provided with a rotatablemember 5 which, if desired, may be integral with or secured to the crankshaft of the engine, or a mem ber drivably associated therewith.

This invention is shown .embodied in novel starting or cranking means associated with the rotatable member 5 for developing andtransmitting a starting torque to said member whereby the engine may be cranked. As shown, such means includes a housing having a section 6 extending upwardly from around the engine member 5, said housing having an upper section 8 with an outwardly turned marginal flange 9 registering with section 6 and adapted to be supported on an inwardly turned flange l0 on the section 6, suitable means such as screws l2 being provided to rigidly secure the flange 9 of section 8 to the flange III of section 6. The upper portion of section 8 is preferably provided with a centrally disposed hub I3 having a central opening through which extends the cylindrical hub ll of a yoke or spider member l5 provided for a purpose presently to be described. I

Suitable means are employed for storing up energy to be subsequently used at the will of the operator for rotating the engine member 5 and thereby starting the engine. As shown, such means is preferably constituted by an inertia member adapted to be rotated at high speed through suitable gearing drivably connected to a cranking member, the gearing being preferably divided into two or more stages. For this purpose, the spider l5 above referred to is provided with a plurality of supporting posts l6 extending downwardly to retain in place an annular member or ring [1 on which is rotatably supported, with-the aid of ball bearings IS, a corresponding number of driving gears 20 adapted to mesh with a sun gear or pinion 2| and also with the teeth of an internal or annular gear 22 which is secured to the housing section 8 by suitable means as indicated at 23. As shown, the gears 20, 2| and 22 constitute a planetary system of gears operating in response to rotation of member l4 to impart rotation at a multiplied speed to the inertia means to be described, the gear 2| being preferably integral with a centrally disposed shaft 25.

Appropriate means are provided for drivably connecting the shaft 25 with the second stage of the gearing which leads to the inertia member. As shown, such means preferably involves the provision at the lower end of shaft 25 of a recessed apertured plate or spider 26 rotatable in response to rotation of the sun gear 2| by the means above described. The supporting means for spider 25 may be of any suitable form, but as shown, consists in the provision of a threaded reduced portion at the lower end of shaft 25 to which is secured a nut 21 adapted to hold in place, with the aid of locking washer 28, the aforesaid spider 26. Near the outer periphery .of spider 26 are located a plurality of supporting posts or bolts 30 having threaded lower ends 3| for a purpose to be described, said bolts being adapted to rotatably receive a corresponding number of gears 32, the bolts being preferably enlarged, as indicated at 33, to form heads resting on bearings 34, the latter being provided to facilitate rotation of said gears. The rotation of these gears-about the posts 30 is preferably broughtabout by providing an internal gear 36 A which, is shown as fixed relatively to the gears 32 by virtue of the provision of the above described bolts I 2 interposed between the said gear and the casing.

- The preferred means for imparting rotation.

to, the inertia, member at a greatly multiplied speed, in response to the rotation of the member l4, further includes a second sun gear or pinion 31 having teeth meshing with the teeth of the gears 32 and hence adapted to berotated thereby. the gear 31 being rigidly secured to a member 38 by suitable means, which as illustrated,

takes the form of splines 39, a retaining nut 40 being threaded to the lower end of member 33. Member 38 is in turn rotatable relatively to the driving shaft 25, the relative rotation between the two being facilitated by the provision of suit- 5 able bearing means as indicated at 42. The member 38 is also provided at its upper end with an'outwardly turned flange 43 adapted to be secured to an inertia member 44 by suitable means which in the form shown comprises a plurality 10 of studs or rivets 45 rigidly connecting the flange '43 with an inwardly extending annular flange 46 provided on the inertia member, or flywheel, 44.

The bolts [2 also serve to hold in place a transversely disposed plate or partition 5| which is 15 adapted to support a ball bearing 52 representing any suitable means upon which the flywheel 44 and flanged member 38 may be rotatably mounted, the ball bearing member 52 being preferably adapted to rest at its outer edge on the sup-.20 porting plate 53 rigidly fastened to the partition 5| by suitable means as indicated at 54. c

Any suitable manually operated means may be provided for rotating the hub l4 to store energy in the inertia member 44 through the speed 25 multiplying mechanism above described. As 11- lustrated in Fig. 1 such means preferably comprises the provision of a threaded upper portion on member l4 for engagement with an internally threaded member 55 having a transversely ex- 30 tending section which at its outer edge turns in a downward direction to form a sleeve to which any suitable crank or other hand turning device (not shown) may be attached.

Appropriate means are provided for operatively connecting the flywheel 44, after the desired amount of energy has been stored therein to the engine member 5. Such novel means preferably comprises the provision of a cylindrical member or drum, such as that indicated at 65, 40 rigidly secured to the shaft 5, in combination with a plurality of elements such as those indicated. at 66 and 61 (Figs. 1 and 2) having convex frictional surfaces adapted to be moved radially into engagement with the drum 65 by op- 4 eration of the meshing means to be described.

These radially movable elements 65 and 61 are adapted to rotate with the recessed plate or spider 26 to which said elements are pivotally secured by suitable means, as, for example, the transverse- 50 1y extending arms 69 (Fig. 2) provided with apertures for reception of bolts 68, the bolts being held in place by suitable means, as, for example, the nuts 12, (Figs. 1 and 4) engaging the lower threaded ends thereof. On the convex arcuate 55 rims of elements 66 and 61 are provided correspondingly shaped bands 14 of suitable friction material, the curvature of these bands being preferably such as to render the elements 66 and 61 self-energizing, that is, cause them to wrap them- 60 selves snugly against the inner surface of drum 65 upon radial movement from their normal positions as shown in Fig. 1.

Suitable means are provided for maintaining the members 66 and 61 in non-engaging position 65 with respect to the drum 65 notwithstanding the tendency of such elements to move outward radially in response to the centrifugal force resulting from rotation of these elements during the cranking operation. As shown; such means comprises, first, a plurality of resilient means so positioned as to oppose the centrifugal action, and

a pair of springs, I1 and I (Figs. 1 and 2) the former being fastened at one end to the element 61 and at its other end to the lower end of one post 30, while the latter is fastened to the element 60 at one end and at the other end to the other post 30, the points of attachment .being so located with respect to the pivots 68 on which the friction elements are suspended, and with respect to the axis of rotation of these elements, that they exert a resilient force in opposition to the centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the parts.

The counterbalancing means which preferably act in conjunction with the above described resilient means to oppose the centrifugal force created by the rotation of members 60 and 07, and maintain such elements in non-driving position during cranking operation, are constituted by a pair of weighted arcuate members Hand 90 rigidly secured, as by rivets, 8 I, to the outer ends of the cross-arms 69. These counterweights l9 and 80 are'respectively positioned diametrically opposite to the arcuatedriving elements 60 and 51, so as to have maximum counterbalancing eifect, the elements all being preferably unsymmetrically located withrespect to the cross-arms 69' (as shown in Fig. 2). This unsymmetrical mounting of the friction elements and counterweights also has the .advantage of permitting the arrangement of the cross-arms E9 in parallelism as indicated in Fig. 2. It will also be noted that the counterbalancing weights 19 are attached to the cross-arms 09 in such a manner as to permit superimposing the friction elements 06 and El thereupon, as indicated.

There will next be described that feature of the invention which consists in providing novel means to move the elements 506 and 61 outwardly in a radial direction into frictional driving contact with the surface of drum 05, such novel means also operating to impart rotation to the engine member 5. For this purpose the crossarms 69 are preferably provided with sloping shoulders, as indicated at 82, spaced apart sufllclently'to permit their being engaged by the centrally and vertically disposed rod 83, having a correspondingly tapering shoulder 00, the degree of taper being such that upon'downward movement of rod 93 a wedging action is produced which moves the cross-arms 09 away from each other; thereby moving the friction elements 66 and 61. into engagement with the drum 65.

Associated with the drum 65 is a plate or cam member 05 secured by suitable means 06 to the lower end of rod 83, the plate having an annular ridge 8! adapted to be engaged by fingers B8 on v arms 09, the latter constituting extensions of the w weighted members 00 slidably mounted on guide members 9i secured by suitable means, as indicated at 92 to opposite points-on the inner surface of drum 05. At corresponding points on the outer surface of the drum the fastening means 92 preferably engage and hold in position a circumferential flange or track 94 on which 'a'hand rope 95 orother turning means may be placed.

The weights 90 are preferably provided with laterally disposed openings 90 serving for re-' the latter being to normally hold the weights 90- inthe positions indicated, to resist outward radial movement of saidweights in response to the centrifugal force created by rotation of drum 05, and

to return the arms 09 after the engine stops.

Having thus identified the parts entering into the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the

operation of this embodiment of the invention 5 will now be described.

When it is desired to start the engine, the sleeve 55 is rotated by means of a suitable handle SI (which may or may not remain in place at all times) such rotation operating to store energy 10 in flywheel 44 through 'the speed multiplying means above described, the path of transmission being from the member 55 to the hub I4, spider I5, and planetary gears to the sun gear 2i, thence through shaft to the spider 26, and thence to the planetary gears 32, sun gear 31 and hub to the flywheel 04.

When the flywheel has by the foregoing means been brought up to a speed suflicient to store the desired amount of energy for use in cranking the 20 engine; the operator efiects an initial turning of the engine member 5, by exerting a pull on the rope attached to'the track 90, or in any other convenient manner.

Rotation thus imparted to the members 65 and 25 5 (the latter being riveted to the former as shown at I02 and I03) creates a centrifugal force acting upon the weights 90 to cause them to move outward radially against the force of springs I00 thereby producing engagement between fingers 30 00 and the ridge 8?, which engagement causes a corresponding downward movement of the rod 03. The downward movement of rod 03 thus effected causes a correspondingradial movement of members 66 and Bi into engagement with the surface of drum 65. With such engagement established, the energy stored in flywheel 44 will continue rotation of the engine without further action" on the part of the operator, the rotation of theengine being continued by this means for a much longer period than would be possible were it necessary to utilize the energy of the flywheel for overcoming the static inertia of the engine.

After the engine stops, springs I00 act to return arms as; springs I04, 11, and is havin 45' meanwhile returned rod 03 and shoes 60 and 67 to their respective normal positions as shown in Fig. l.

There is thus provided a novel engine starter of the. inertia type which is simple and rugged in structure, inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in operation. It is especially adapted for use with small engines because of its compactness and light weight, but since it is a self-contained unit it may be easily attached to any engine and requires no external supporting means,

'the whole unit in the embodiment shown being mounted within an extension of the engine housing and part of the mechanism being carried by a rotating member of the engine.

, If desired, the invention may be embodied in a starter of the reaction type, wherein the entire mechanism is carried by, and rotates with, the engine member to be cranked. Such an embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 3', 4, and 5 and may as be constituted by an engine member I05 secured to the engine shaft I06 by suitable means as indicated at I" and I08, the member I08 also preferably serving for attachment of the starter housing. The starter housing preferably is composed of three sections III, H2, and ll.3'secured together bysuitable means such as screws II4 passing from the horizontally disposed surface of the upper section II3 through the cylindrical wall and the central section H2 and threadedly engaging theupper circumferential flange on the lower section III. The upper section H3 is provided with a circumferentially extending groove II6 for attachment of a rope I I5 or other actuating means, and is further provided with a hub portion II1 rotatable relatively to the hub II8 of spider I IS the latter having a function now to be described.

Spider H9 constitutes the driving or cranking member for the inertia element of this embodiment of the invention. To this end the spider is provided with a plurality of supporting screws I23 located at equal angular distances about the former and near the outer edge thereof, said screws being received in spacer sleeves I24 and adapted to rotatably support, with the assistance of ball bearings I25, a corresponding number of driving gears I26 adapted to mesh with a sun gear or pinion I2I integral with a centrally disposed shaft I22, the gears I26 also meshing with the teeth of an internal gear I21 mounted in the recesses formed in the abutting edges of sections H2 and H3, the gears I2I, I26, and I21, thus conprises an annular rim I35 of suitable weight and mass having near its lower edge a flanged portion I36 presenting upper and lower flat annular surfaces for the reception of friction discs I31 and I38 associated with clutch members I 39 and I46 respectively, the member I40 having a cylindrical hub or boss I il extending upwardly at right angles thereto but integral therewith and provided near its upper edge with a portion I42 adapted to engage a correspondingly threaded hub formed on the ring I t3.

Means for regulating the frictional pressure.

brought to bear on the flywheel I35 through the medium of members I39 and I40 preferably includes a nest of coiled springs I46 properly spaced and held in position by the provision of studs I41 riveted or otherwise suitably secured in suitable openings in the ring I44, the upper ends of the springs I46 bearing against the under surface of the ring I44 which is vertically movable to vary the tension of the springs by virtue of the provision of "the threaded connection with the hub of the member I40.

The means for causing the clutch members I39 and I40 to rotate in response to rotation of shaft provided with threaded openings for the reception of said screws I5I. -The member I40 is further provided with a depending hub or boss I 55 which, together with the cooperating threaded cylindrical members I56 and I51 (supported on the'upwardly projecting flange I58 formed on transversely disposed plate I59) form a pocket for the reception of ball bearing I62 on which the members I50 and I40, and hence the flywheel I35, are rotatably supported.

The mechanism described above constitutes means for storing up energy to be subsequently used at the will of the operator, for cranking and starting the engine. There will now be described the novel means which are provided for operatively connecting the flywheel I35, after the desired amount of energy has been stored therein, to a member-of the engine to be started. Generically speaking, said means comprises, first, a mechanism constantly tending to effect operative driving engagement with the casing III in response to the transmission of torque through the 15 rotating flywheel; and secondly, means normally preventing said mechanism from following such tendency; and thirdly, a manually operable device for rendering said second named means ineffective and thereby permitting said engaging 20 mechanism to efiect driving connection with the member III.

The engaging mechanism normally tending to efiect driving connection, comprises a plurality of (as shown two) speed responsive elements I 25 and I6I pivotally mounted on studs I03 and I03, respectively, these studs-being located in openings provided on flange I65 formed at the lower end of shaft I66, the latter being splined or otherwise secured to member I55 for rotation 30 therewith, and locked against longitudinal movement relative thereto by suitable keying and supporting means as shown at I52.

,The sector-shaped elements 50 and 55B are provided at their outer arcuate rims with corre- 35 spondingly shaped friction plates I6 3, formed along the outer edges thereof and having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the .drum Hi, the elements I60 and Iii being normally restrained (by means hereinafter described) from following the tendency to move radially outward into engagement with the inner surface of drum III in response to centrifugalforceset up by the'rotation of the member N5 and corresponding rotation of the sectors 560 45 1 adapted to surround and enclose the fingers I69 55 and thereby prevent radial movement of the members I60 and "SI so long as the cup member I" remains in the position shown in Fig. 3. The latter is normally held in this position by the provision of a nut I12 threaded to the lower end of 00 means includes an arm I00 connected by suitable 70 means I8Ito a second arm I82, having at its outer end a finger I83 (Figs. 3and 4) adapted to follow the coarse thread I84 formed on the member I85, the latter extending circumferentially about casing III and being secured thereto by suitable force, and such engagement makes it possible to means, preferably screws I I4. The arms I and I02 are preferably movable to and from operative position by suitable means which, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises preferably a swivel pin I06 provided in a bearing IBI secured to the upper end I88 of a bracket I89, the latter being secured by suitable means as indicated at I90 to the stationary engine support IOI.

In operation, the handerank I34 is connected with sleeve I32, and hub H0 is rotated until the flywheel is brought up to a speed sufficient to store the desired amount of energy for use in starting the engine, the storing of energy in the flywheel being effected through the transmission means including spider IIO, planetary gears I20 and IZ'I, pinion iii, and friction clutch members M0 and I39. It will be noted that the rotating starter elements, including the members I00, i335, I60, I00, and Ifil, are out of engagement with the member I I I during the time that energy is being stored in the inertia member.

Following such acceleration of the flywheel, arms I80 and I02 are swung into operative position. The starter housing. and engine shaft are now rotated by a rope or other suitable means engageable with groove M6 to impart initial rotary movement to overcome the static inertia of the parts. When the rotation has proceeded sufficiently so that the revolution of the coarsely threaded surface I05 produces a downward travel of the pin I83 sufficiently to produce the required downward movement of the rod I73 by the pressure of arm I80 upon the cap I15, the clamp MI is released from. its restraining relation to the fingers I09, whereupon sector elements I00 and MI engage the casing ill by action of centrifugal continue the cranking operation without further act of the operator until the speed of the flywheel is spent. By this means the energy of the flywheel, none of which has been expended in overcoming the static inertia of the engine, will be sufflcient to bring the engine up to a speed permitting starting under its own power.

It will be noted that during cranking of the engine the starter elements remain drivably connected to the engine crankshaft. This is due to the nature of the engagement between the members I60 and IN, on the one hand, and drum III, on the other hand, the shape and method of mounting of which causes these members to maintain driving contact so long as they are rotating at. a speed sufficiently high to overbalance the opposing effect of springs I02 and I02. Moreover, these sector elements are such as to render them self-energizing, that is, cause them to grip the drum with a force which increases from the initial engaging force to a much greater maximum, which force is a cumulative resultant of the centrifugal force due to rotation, plus the force tending to turn the sector elements about their pivots eccentrically, both of which forces are exerted directly against the surface of the drum III- From the foregoing it will be seen that the mechanism performs the dual function of starter and engine fly-wheel, while a restarting can be effected by utilizing the energy remaining in the flywheel, which will continue to rotate for a considerable period after the engine power has been cut off. When this energy is dissipated, the springs I02 and I02 will, of course, act to withdraw the elements I60 and I6'I and return them to the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby permitting the spring I16 to return cup member Ill to locking relation with respect to the fingers I69 and I10, such return having been prevented theretofore by the continued contact of the e1ements I60 and I6I with the upper surface of the cup member I! I. 5

It will be obvious that the invention is not limited in form to either of the embodiments above described, nor is it limited to the specific use described, but is capable of a variety of mechanical embodiments and uses. 10

What is claimed is:

1. The method of starting an internal combustion engine which comprises first energizing an inertia element to a speed much higher than the normal speed of the engine to be started, it then imparting an initial rotation to the engine by means independent of said inertia element, and finally drivably connecting said inertia element to the engine when the latter has been rotated by operation of said independent means. 20

2. In an engine starting mechanism of the type embodying a flywheel in which energy is stored for subsequent transmission to a member of the engine to be started, the combination with said flywheel and engine member of means in- '25 dependent of said flywheel for imparting an initial rotary movement to said engine member, and means operable in response to the operation of said independent means to drivably connect said flywheel and engine member.

3. In combination with a rotatable member of an engine to be started, a cylindrical member drivably connected to said engine member, a flywheel in which energy is stored for starting the engine, said flywheel being adapted for rotation relative to said cylindrical member during the energy storing operation, means for rotating said cylindrical member and engine member relatively to said flywheel, and means operable in response to actuation of said last named means 0 to drivably connect said flywheel and cylindrical member to cause a transmission of starting torque through said cylindrical member to said engine member.

4. An engine starting mechanism comprising 45 in combination with a rotatable member of an engine to be started, means for preliminarily rotating said engine member, a driving member, torque transmitting means' adapted to drivably connect said members including a friction mem- 50 ber connected to said driving member and adapted for movement into engagement with said engine member, and means operable in response to said preliminary rotation of said engine member to cause movement of said friction member 55 into engagement with said engine member.

5. An engine starting mechanism comprising in combination with an inertia member in which energy is stored for subsequent transmission to a member of the engine to be started, means for preliminarily rotating said engine member, torque transmitting means adapted to drivably 'coninect said members and including a friction element connected to the inertia member and movable into engagement withthe engine member, 55 and means operable in response to said preliminary rotation of the engine member to cause said friction member to drivably connect said inertia and engine members.

6. In combination, a driving member, a rotatable driven member, means for preliminarily rotating said driven member, torque transmitting means adapted to drivably connect said members and including a friction member connected to the driving member, and centrifugally respon- 75 automatically moving said friction member radially into driving engagement with the driven member in response to said preliminary rotation of the driven member.

'7. In combination with friction elements of the self-energizing type, a driven member adapted to be engaged thereby, means for preliminarily rotating said driven member, means tending to move said friction elements into engagement with said member, meansnormally preventing such movement, and means for releasing said preventing means comprising a member engageable with said preventing means in response to a predetermined degree of said preliminary rotation of 'said driven member.

8. In an engine starting mechanism employing friction elements of the self-energizing type adapted to drivably connect the starting mechanism with a member of the engine to be started, means for preliminarily rotating said engine member, means tending to move said friction elements into engagement with said engine member, means normally preventing such movement, means for releasing said preventing means, and

- means operable in response to a predetermined degree of said preliminary rotation ofv said engine member to actuate said releasing means.

9. In an engine starting mechanism employing friction elements of the self-energizing type adapted to drivably connect the starting mechanism with a member of the engine to be started, means for preliminarily rotating said engine member, means tending to move said friction elements into engagement with said engine member, means normally preventing such movement, means for releasing said preventing means, and means operable in response to a predetermined degree of said preliminary rotation of said engine member to actuate said releasing means, said last named means comprising an arm engageable with said releasing means, a threaded member rotatable with said engine member, and a [follower operatively connected with said arm and movable along the thread of said threaded member in response to rotation thereof.

10. In combination with a cylindrical member, means for preliminarily rotating said cylindrical member, a shaft mounted within said cylindrical member and rotatable relatively thereto, means for drivably connecting said shaft and cylindrical member comprising a plurality of radially movable elements supported by said shaft, said elements having arcuate surfaces whose degree of curvature corresponds to the curvature of said cylindrical member, means normally preventing radial movement of said elements towards said cylindrical member, and means for causing said radial movement notwithstanding said preventing means, said .last .named means including a member engageable with said radially movable elements and adapted to be actuated in response to said preliminary rotation of said cylindrical member. I

11. In combination with friction driving elements, a rotatable member adapted to be engaged and rotated by said friction elements, means for preliminarily rotating said rotatable member, means for controlling the-movement of said friction elements into engagement with said driven member, said controlling means comprising a member movable at right angles to the plane of movement of said friction elements and engageable therewith, and means for actuating said controlling means after said preliminary rotation,

2,019 7TiQ said actuating means comprising a member rotatable with said driven member, a follower movable along the axis of rotation of said driven member, and means connecting said controlling member with said follower for movement therewith.

12. In combination with friction driving elements, a rotatable member adapted to be engaged and rotated by said friction elements, means for preliminarily rotating said rotatable member, means for controlling the movement of said friction elements into engagement with said driven member, said controlling means comprising a member movable at right angles to the plane of movement of said friction elements and engageable therewith, and means for actuating said controlling means after said preliminary rotation, said actuating means comprising a member rotatable with said driven member, a follower movable along a path parallel to the axis of rotation of said driven member, and means responsive to movement of said follower to cause corresponding movement of said controlling member.

13. Engine starting mechanism comprising a driving member and a drive transmitting member movable into position to voperatively connect said driving member to a member of the engine to be started, means normally preventing such movement of said drive transmitting member, and means for releasing said preventing means comprising a member mounted adjacent said starting mechanism, and manually movable into position. to cause movement of said preventing means out of restraining relation to said drive transmitting member.

14. In an engine starting mechanism, in combination with a. driving member movable to engage a member of the engine to be started, means for preliminarily rotating said engine member, a longitudinally movable member controlling the movement of said drivingmember, and means engageable with both said engine member and said longitudinally movable member to actuate the latter in response to said preliminary rotation of said engine member.

15. In a device of the class described, in combination with a member to be rotated, means for preliminarily rotating said member, a driving member normally out of engagement therewith, a longitudinally movable member for thereafter controlling the establishment of driving relation between said first named members, a' follower movable longitudinally in response to rotation of said member to be rotated, and means for rigidly. connecting said follower to said controlling member to produce a corresponding longitudinal movement of said controlling member.

16. In a driving mechanism, in combination with driving and driven members and controlling means therefor, said controlling means comprising an elongated member disposed in coaxial relation thereto, means for preliminarily rotating said driven member, a grooved member connected to said driven member for rotation therewith during operation of said preliminarily rotating means, a follower movable in the groove of said grooved member to describe a rectilinear path parallel to the axis of rotation of said grooved member, and means for imparting an axial movewith driving and driven members and an elon-- gated member disposed in coaxial relation thereto means for preliminarily rotating said driven member, a radially movable meshing member connected to said driven member for rotation therewith during operation of said preliminarily rotating means, and means for imparting an axial movement to said elongated member in response to radial movement of said meshing member, said means comprising'a cam surfaced member secured to said elongated member, and projecting into the path of said meshing member.

18. In combination with driving and driven members, means for drivably connecting said members comprising a rod disposed in coaxial relation thereto, means for preliminarily rotating said driven member and means for transmitting an axial movement to said rod in response to said preliminary rotary movement of said driven member, said transmitting means comprising a. pair of arms pivotally supported adjacent said members and adapted to be swung into operative relation to said rod and driven member;

-19. In combination with driving and driven members means for drivably connecting said members comprising a rod disposed in coaxial relation thereto, means for preliminarily rotating said driven member and means for transmitting an axial movement to said rod in response to said preliminary rotary movement of said driven member, said transmitting means comprising a pair of arms pivotally supported adjacent said members and adapted to be swung into position to constitute a connecting linkage between said driven member and said rod, whereby rotary movement of said driven member produces corresponding axial movement of said rod. 20. In combination with driving and driven 'members, means for drivably connecting said members comprising a rod disposed in coaxial relation thereto, means for preliminarily rotating said driven member and means i'or transmitting an axial movement to said rod in response to said preliminary rotary movement of said driven member, said transmitting means comprising a pair of arms slidably mounted with respect to said driven member and adapted to be moved radially by centrifugal action to constitute an actuating linkage between said driven member and said rod..

21-. In combination with driving and driven members, means for drivably connecting said members comprising a rod disposed in coaxial relation thereto, means for preliminarily rotating said driven member, and means for transmitting an axial movement to said rod in response to said preliminary rotary movementv of said ,driven member, said transmitting means comprising a pair of arms pivotally mounted proximate to said driven member and constituting an actuating linkage between said driven member and said rod.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. 

